Management options for fusarium wilt of snow peas
Summary
Fusarium wilt of snow peas is a devastating disease that has appeared in all snow pea growing regions in the eastern states of Australia.
The causal organism is the fungus Fusarium oxysporum - a soil-borne pathogen commonly found in soil and plants.
Control of fusarium wilt is difficult once established in a field.
The best control option is resistant cultivars but these are not currently available.
The main control options available to Australian growers are discussed. They include:
- soil fumigation
- avoidance of infected fields
- planting in cooler months of the year
- adopting a strict farm hygiene program, and
- growing non-susceptible crops.
